WASHINGTON (CNN) –White House Correspondent Dan Lothian takes a look at how President Obama is defending his compromise with Republicans on extending the Bush-era tax cuts, and how some of those same Republicans (and fellow Democrats) are unhappy with what the president has said and done.

Michelle and I were deeply saddened to learn of the passing of Elizabeth Edwards. This afternoon I spoke to Cate Edwards and John Edwards, and offered our family’s condolences. I came to know and admire Elizabeth over the course of the presidential campaign. She was a tenacious advocate for fixing our health care system and fighting poverty, and our country has benefited from the voice she gave to the cause of building a society that lifts up all those left behind.

In her life, Elizabeth Edwards knew tragedy and pain. Many others would have turned inward; many others in the face of such adversity would have given up. But through all that she endured, Elizabeth revealed a kind of fortitude and grace that will long remain a source of inspiration. Our thoughts and prayers are with her family and friends.

“Elizabeth Edwards fought a brave battle against a terrible, ravaging disease that takes too many lives every day. She was an inspiration to all who knew her, and to those who felt they knew her. Jill and I extend our deepest sympathies to the Edwards family as they grieve during this difficult and painful time.”

I snapped these photos during President Obama's unexpected press conference in the Brady Briefing Room on Tuesday. We watched POTUS answer a series of six questions from the press as he spent the bulk of his time behind the podium defending his agreement with Republicans to extend the Bush-era tax cuts.

WASHINGTON (CNN) –The metaphorical ink is still barely dry on the long, flowery press release President Obama sent out last Friday reacting to the drastic budget cuts proposed by the National Commission on Fiscal Responsibility and Reform that he appointed.

"Jobs and growth are our most urgent need," the president said Friday.

"But if we want an America that can compete for the jobs of tomorrow, we simply cannot allow our nation to be dragged down by our debt. We must correct our fiscal course."FULL POST

Nearly 70 years ago, on December 7, 1941, our service members and civilians awoke on a quiet Sunday to a surprise attack on Pearl Harbor by Japanese forces. Employing whatever weapons were at hand, those who defended Hawaii that fateful morning stand as examples of the selfless heroism that has always characterized the Armed Forces of the United States. More than 3,500 Americans were killed or wounded, and the images of burning battleships and the grief for lives lost were forever seared into our national memory.

WASHINGTON (CNN) –The annual White House holiday party for members of Congress fell on the same day that President Obama announced a “framework” deal on the Bush-era tax cuts.

Based on the optimistic tone from his usual critics, it appears Republicans are getting better gifts under the tree than Obama’s fellow Democrats.

Arriving for a night of festivities at the south east entrance to the White House, outgoing Senator Chris Dodd (D-Conn.) said he would reserve judgment until he could review the agreement more carefully on Tuesday, but he expressed some disappointment. “I regret that we are going to have to compromise on it because I think it’s terrible we are not basically limiting the tax cut to those who really need it. That’s the sad part,” he said.

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OTR

Category: Thing

Some presidential movements are OTR, or off-the-record, to the public and press until the president's motorcade arrives at the previously undisclosed location.